DEC. 31, 2007 VOL. 24 NO. 18 www.kofc.org NEWS FOR KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS LEADERS 2007 During 2007, the Knights of Columbus marked its 125th anniversary with Orderwide fanfare but also by rededicating itself to the vision of its founder, the Servant of God Father Michael J. McGivney. This special issue of Knightline includes many of the Order s highlights from the past 12 months. JANUARY Carl A. Anderson moderates an interreligious panel discussion at the United Nations. s Book Club debuts, featuring monthly discussions of books online at www.kofc.org. Board of Directors meets in Puerto Rico; Supreme Chaplain Bishop William E. Lori is presented with a relic of Blessed Carlos Rodriguez (1918-63), a member of Pope John XXIII Council 2033 in Caguas and the first Puerto Rican layman to be beatified. FEBRUARY Anderson attends the 13th general assembly of the Pontifical Academy for Life. Addressing the delegates, Anderson said Catholic politicians and individuals must be true to their consciences and governments must respect their right to do so. MARCH Parish Priest: Father Michael McGivney and American Catholicism (Harper Perennial) is released in paperback. It is the definitive biography of the Order s founder. Knights celebrate Founder s Day March 29 with several events, including a concelebrated Mass of thanksgiving at the Order s birthplace, St. Mary s Church in New Haven; a wreath-laying ceremony at the grave of the Order s first supreme knight, James T. Mullen; a flag-raising ceremony at the Order s international headquarters, and a banquet at which priests from throughout Connecticut are honored. In remarks at the dinner, Supreme Knight Anderson urges Knights to be the strong right arm of parish priests. Knights in Mexico City lead demonstrations against the city s efforts to liberalize abortion laws there. The Supreme Council arranges to have an 18-foot by 33-foot banner with the words Protect Life from Conception to Natural Death displayed at the Mexico City Cathedral. With financial support from the Supreme Council, the Vermont Alliance for Ethical Healthcare airs TV ads educating the public about a bill legalizing physicianassisted suicide. The Vermont House of Repre- JANUARY College Knights from around the United States are among the thousands of Knights and families joining Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson at the March for Life in Washington, D.C., Jan. 22. FEBRUARY Pope Benedict XVI greets Supreme Knight Anderson at the close of a meeting of the Pontifical Academy for Life held at the Vatican, Feb. 23-24. Also shown is the academy s president, Bishop Elio Sgreccia. MARCH Archbishop Henry J. Mansell of Hartford is joined by Supreme Chaplain Bishop William E. Lori and Supreme Chaplain Emeritus Bishop Thomas V. Daily at the altar during a Mass of thanksgiving on Knights of Columbus Founder s Day, March 29.
FROM SUPREME KNIGHT CARL A. ANDERSON Great Things Await in 08 This year-in-review issue leads me to a few brief reflections. First, on behalf of my fellow Supreme Officers, I want to thank you for helping make 2007 one for the history books. There are many great accomplishments cited here, and we can all take pride in what our Order did for the Church and the world this year. Secondly, this listing helps me formulate plans and programs for 2008, and I hope it motivates you to do the same for your council. What more can our Order do to build a civilization of love, a better world for all, through our charitable programs and our insurance offerings? Finally, we can and should pat ourselves on the back for jobs well done. But our job isn t complete until we share this information with other Catholic men. Let them know we need them in the New Year to be a part of all of this and more! Great things happened in 2007, and greater things await in 08. Let s grow our ranks now to see that we achieve them all. Vivat Jesus! sentatives defeats the bill. Anderson addresses more than 4,000 men at the Boston Catholic Men s Conference. APRIL The Order s Board of Directors votes funding for the first World Congress on Mercy to be held at the Vatican April 2-6, 2008. Joan of Arc: Medieval Maiden to Modern Saint opens at the Knights of Columbus Museum. The exhibit features more than 200 items depicting St. Joan of Arc and is based on a show held previously at the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., which the Order sponsored. The Insurance Marketplace Standards Association (IMSA) renews the Order s membership as an insurance industry leader in ethical standards and practices. MAY Pope Benedict XVI appoints Supreme Knight and Mrs. Anderson as members of the Pontifical Council for the Family. Archbishop Henry J. Mansell of Hartford, Conn., joins Supreme Knight Anderson on a trip to Poland. Charters are presented to the members of the first six councils instituted there. A new choral composition dedicated to the Knights is premiered at the Jasna Gora Basilica in Czestochowa. Deputy Supreme Knight Dennis A. Savoie joins thousands of pro-life supporters in Ottawa for Canada s 10th annual March for Life. More than two dozen students receive advanced degrees from the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family in Washington, D.C. In his remarks to the graduates, Supreme Knight Anderson, the institute s vice president, tells them that by choosing to study the teachings of Pope John Paul they have become unique members of the John Paul II Generation. Anderson takes part in the Rosary Bowl at Pasadena s Rose Bowl. He calls North, South and Central America the Catholic hemisphere and says Our Lady of Guadalupe and the rosary are bonds uniting all Catholics there. Bishop Lori hosts a meeting of state and local chaplains at the Supreme Council office in New Haven to discuss programs to enhance the spiritual formation of members during council meetings and at other Knights of Columbus functions. JUNE Knights report record-breaking totals in charitable giving and volunteerism in 2006: $143,816,004 raised and 2 APRIL In collaboration with the Wheelchair Foundation, the Knights of Columbus distributed hundreds of wheelchairs to those in need in Mexico City. By year s end, Knights at all levels had funded and helped distribute approximately 105,000 wheelchairs. MAY Supreme Knight Anderson presents the charter to members of John Paul II Council 14000 in Krakow, the first council chartered in Poland. Charters were presented to five other Polish councils. JUNE Erich Sedler, Grand Knight Allan Korejwo and Toni Pascua of St. Francis of Assisi Council 13456 in Henderson, Nev., and Pascua s son Lance man the council s fundraising booth for people with intellectual disabilities. Since 1980, Knights have raised and distributed $375 million to programs supporting people with intellectual and physical disabilities.
donated, and 68,270,432 hours of service. A new States Gallery at the Knights of Columbus Museum is dedicated. The gallery features historical objects, artwork and other items donated by state councils. The Vocation of the Laity, a 30-minute DVD premieres at the state deputies organizational meeting in New Haven. It is the fourth film on vocations to be produced by the Knights. Other titles in the series The Vocation to Religious Life for Women, The Vocation to Marriage and The Vocation to the Priesthood have won numerous industry awards. Financial support from the Knights helps defeat a Delaware bill that would have authorized the use of human embryos in medical experimentation. JULY For the 32nd consecutive year, the A. M. Best Co. gives the Knights of Columbus its highest financial strength rating, A++ (Superior). To commemorate the 475th anniversary of Our Lady of Guadalupe s appearances to Juan Diego, the Order sponsors a speaking tour featuring Father Eduardo Chávez, the leading expert on the Guadalupe apparitions. Father Chávez, a member of Council 14138 at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, lectures to groups in California and throughout the United States. AUGUST Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone attends the 125th annual Supreme Convention in Nashville, Tenn. The second highestranking official in the Church after Pope Benedict XVI receives the Order s highest honor, the Gaudium et Spes Award. The meeting is among the best attended conventions in the Order s history and is covered extensively by the Catholic media. Anderson announces that in August 2009 the Order would host its firstever international Marian Congress in Phoenix, at the conclusion of that year s Supreme Convention. SEPTEMBER The Order s yearlong Marian prayer program in honor of Our Lady of Charity commences. The rosary-centered prayer service features images of Our Lady of Charity that travel among Knights of Columbus councils. It is being offered for Pope Benedict XVI and his intentions. Pope Benedict XVI meets with Supreme Knight Anderson at Castel Gandolfo, the pope s summer residence, during an audience with representatives of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. Anderson is a consultor to the Vatican body. More than 150 Knights from councils on 56 colleges and universities attend the annual College Council Conference in New Haven. Texas A & M University Council 10624 in College Station is awarded the Outstanding College Council of the Year award. Anderson addresses Ukrainian Catholic bishops from around the world attending their synod in Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. OCTOBER The Order s Board of Directors meet in Phoenix and appoint officers for the coming year. Donald R. Kehoe is appointed the new supreme secretary to replace Robert J. Lane, who retired. Kehoe, a past state deputy of Virginia, had been serving as assistant supreme secretary. All other officers are reappointed. Insurance in force exceeds $65 billion. The amount of Knights of Columbus insurance in force has doubled in the past decade from $32.9 billion in 1997 to $65 billion. NOVEMBER The Knights honor U.S. veterans by distributing 3 JULY Spec. Marty Holsinger presents Grand Knight Jerry Selter and Rich Holsinger of Father Edward P. Harrison Council 7438 in Greenville, Texas, with a U.S. flag that flew over Baghdad in appreciation of the Knights support of U.S. troops. Holsinger is also a member of Council 7438. AUGUST In remarks at the 125th Supreme Convention, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Vatican Secretary of State, says he is personally interested in the cause for canonization of Father Michael J. McGivney and says the key to the founder s apostolic vision was helping others to recognize the call that Christ addressed to them, and to respond generously. SEPTEMBER Cardinal Jaime Ortega Alamino of Havana, Cuba, celebrates Mass in the Holy Family Chapel of the Supreme Council office, and leads the congregation in a prayer to Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre, Cuba. Images of Our Lady of Charity are traveling throughout the Order during a yearlong Marian prayer program.
Nonprofit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID NEW HAVEN CT PERMIT No. 400 1 Columbus Plaza New Haven CT 06510-3326 $1 million worth of wheelchairs, in collaboration with the Wheelchair Foundation. Reclaiming Fatherhood, a conference for men dealing with abortion is held in San Francisco with backing from the Knights. DECEMBER The Knights of Columbus argues before the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Apeals to keep the words under God in the Pledge of Allegiance. A display of Italian Nativity scenes opens at the Order s museum. VISIT WWW.KOFC.ORG FOR MORE NEWS OCTOBER Knights of Columbus Insurance agents gather near a statue of Father Michael J. McGivney at the conclusion of a weeklong professional development course offered regularly at the Supreme Council office. In October, the Order s insurance in force passed $65 billion, having doubled in the last 10 years. NOVEMBER The Knights of Columbus Incarnation Dome is dedicated at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. The mosaic includes depictions of the Annunciation, Nativity, Wedding Feast at Cana and Transfiguration. DECEMBER Pope Benedict XVI receives Supreme Chaplain Bishop Lori and Supreme Knight Anderson in audience. He is given a gift of $1.6 million, representing this year s earnings from the Order s Vicarius Christi Fund.
1 Columbus Plaza New Haven CT 06510-3326 $1 million worth of wheelchairs, in collaboration with the Wheelchair Foundation. Reclaiming Fatherhood, a conference for men dealing with abortion is held in San Francisco with backing from the Knights. DECEMBER The Knights of Columbus argues before the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Apeals to keep the words under God in the Pledge of Allegiance. A display of Italian Nativity scenes opens at the Order s museum. VISIT WWW.KOFC.ORG FOR MORE NEWS OCTOBER Knights of Columbus Insurance agents gather near a statue of Father Michael J. McGivney at the conclusion of a weeklong professional development course offered regularly at the Supreme Council office. In October, the Order s insurance in force passed $65 billion, having doubled in the last 10 years. NOVEMBER The Knights of Columbus Incarnation Dome is dedicated at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. The mosaic includes depictions of the Annunciation, Nativity, Wedding Feast at Cana and Transfiguration. DECEMBER Pope Benedict XVI receives Supreme Chaplain Bishop Lori and Supreme Knight Anderson in audience. He is given a gift of $1.6 million, representing this year s earnings from the Order s Vicarius Christi Fund.
1 Columbus Plaza New Haven CT 06510-3326 $1 million worth of wheelchairs, in collaboration with the Wheelchair Foundation. Reclaiming Fatherhood, a conference for men dealing with abortion is held in San Francisco with backing from the Knights. DECEMBER The Knights of Columbus argues before the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Apeals to keep the words under God in the Pledge of Allegiance. A display of Italian Nativity scenes opens at the Order s museum. VISIT WWW.KOFC.ORG FOR MORE NEWS OCTOBER Knights of Columbus Insurance agents gather near a statue of Father Michael J. McGivney at the conclusion of a weeklong professional development course offered regularly at the Supreme Council office. In October, the Order s insurance in force passed $65 billion, having doubled in the last 10 years. NOVEMBER The Knights of Columbus Incarnation Dome is dedicated at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. The mosaic includes depictions of the Annunciation, Nativity, Wedding Feast at Cana and Transfiguration. DECEMBER Pope Benedict XVI receives Supreme Chaplain Bishop Lori and Supreme Knight Anderson in audience. He is given a gift of $1.6 million, representing this year s earnings from the Order s Vicarius Christi Fund.